Managing liver disease

Liver disease is on the increase and is the fifth leading cause of death in the UK. The patients often show symptoms only at advanced stages when it is too late to cure.

Liver diseases can be caused by a multitude of factors, including genetic predisposition, infections and the environment, therefore requiring diverse and targeted treatment options. The increasing incidence of some hepatic conditions worldwide is due to lifestyle actions, including alcohol intake and drug treatments. Concurrently, numerous infections and disorders are challenging to treat, as the causes and progression of a number of illnesses are not yet well understood.

Among others, liver cancer, hepatitis, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and end-stage liver disease are being studied extensively to improve our understanding of the mechanisms of disease progression, and guide treatment decisions in terms of therapy selection and timing. Much of today’s focus on liver diseases is also on the development of more effective targeted treatments.

This upcoming article collection in BMC Medicine aims to feature the latest findings on the management of liver diseases, welcoming the submission of original research articles on the detection, management and new treatment techniques. Invited commentaries and reviews will also be included in the collection.

We would welcome direct submission of any original research within the collection scope – please submit directly to BMC Medicine stating in your cover letter that you are targeting the Managing liver disease collection. Alternatively please email your pre-submission queries to bmcmedicineeditorial@biomedcentral.com.